IndyCar driver Paul Tracy has been out of racing since April because of lack of funding but will return as open-wheel's bad boy this weekend in Edmonton.

By Travis Braun, USA TODAY

Former Champ Car titlist and Canadian Paul Tracy says he's "pushing all the chips in" this weekend in Edmonton, when he returns to open-wheel racing for the first time since April with a team that has been dormant as long as he has.

"It's definitely taking a big risk, but that's what it's all about," Tracy says. "In the beginning of my career, my dad mortgaged his house for me to go race. … This is kind of the same thing."

Known for his aggressive driving, open-wheel's bad boy was sidelined as IndyCar absorbed Champ Car this year. Lack of funding kept his Forsythe Racing team out of IndyCar, and a contract held back Tracy too long to find another competitive team.

Until now. Tracy will race a Subway-sponsored Dallara for Walker Racing at Edmonton City Centre Airport on Sunday. Walker, a former Champ Car team, partnered with IRL IndyCar Series founder Tony George's Vision Racing for the one-time entry.

But Tracy, who competed the last three years at Edmonton with IRL drivers Justin Wilson and Oriol Servia, says he wants a full-time IndyCar ride and sees this race as a big opportunity: "It's not for fun, by any means. It's been frustrating sitting out and having to watch. I want to go there and win."

Tracy, 39, is keeping his career options open, as he will race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September for Germain Racing. But he says it would be difficult to leave open-wheel after 17 years: "If this opportunity can continue, then I'm all for it."

Stewart's options:

Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart, who joins Haas CNC Racing as a co-owner next season, said Tuesday that there are still "a lot of drivers in the running" to be his 2009 teammate.

Stewart, 10th in Cup points, this month announced his 50% stake in the team that will become Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart leaves Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota to drive one of Stewart-Haas' Chevrolets. The search for the team's second Chevy driver is still wide-open.

"It's not narrowed down to just one driver right now," Stewart said. "I want somebody who expects to win races and expects to be a contender in the championship every year.

"If they don't have those intentions, that's not a guy that I want driving my race cars."

Ryan Newman, who this month said he would leave Penske Racing at the end of the year, has been considered one of the strongest candidates. But on Tuesday, Newman said the only phone call he had from Stewart was to drive one of his dirt sprint cars.

Just as Stewart has given no timetable on choosing a driver, Newman — 16th in Cup points — has put no deadline in choosing a team, likening it to dating.

"Maybe just on a Friday night you go out," said Newman, without a guaranteed ride for the first time in his Cup career. "And that's how it's going to work for me."

The Indiana native has no agent or manager, relying on friends and family to help decide his future. The workload associated with shopping himself takes a toll, Newman said: "It takes away from your main goal of driving."

Stewart, fifth in the last race, at Chicagoland Speedway, said his workload hasn't gotten easier after signing with Stewart-Haas Racing. Instead of looking for a team, he's looking for a driver.

"Now that we're through that, I can't say it's a big weight lifted off my shoulders," Stewart said. "Because it's like you just switched weights."

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